RaceCafe..#1...Tipsters Thread.... Share Your Fancies For Fun...Lets See Who The Best Tipsters Here Are.

Insider

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    Insider reacted to Ohokaman in Entain on the charge……?   
    Let’s hope we get more than a new logo and colour scheme….
    Adding over $200m to the NZ betting market in 5 years will be a tall order if the current economic situation remains.
     
    Entain to inject a tripartite shot of new life into TAB NZ
    by Brian de Lore
    Published 14 March 2024
    Owners, trainers and jockeys have already tasted the benefits this season of increased stakes money emanating from the partnering of TAB NZ with the global betting giant Entain, and by the end of April, punters will get their turn, and it should be a game changer.
    Come to think of it, a large proportion of owners and trainers (not jockeys, hopefully) will fall into the category of punters, so they will be doubly pleased when Entain announce their three-pronged attack on the TAB NZ betting experience at the end of April.
    Coming is a state-of-the-art app and betting platform and a refresh of the TAB NZ brand’s livery. Sydney-based Entain CFO and Deputy CEO Lachlan Fitt expressed his enthusiasm for the app at a recent Ellerslie race meeting.
    The app and new platform comes to TAB NZ after around $200 million of Entain IT development for its global operations.   
     
    Punters in NZ are historically entitled to a degree of TAB NZ cynicism after a prolonged period of poor service, poor odds, and incompetents in charge —some of whom had never placed a bet in their lives. How did it ever come to that?
    But suddenly, we have gone from the invisible and uncontactable TAB people to an Entain trio of three passionate racing people – CEO Dean Shannon, Lachlan Fitt and NZ-based Managing Director Cameron Rodger.
    Rodger.
    Entain’s main players making the decisions for the future of NZ racing. From left, CEO Dean Shannon, CFO and Deputy CEO Lachlan Fitt, and NZ Managing Director Cameron Rodger
    The infusion of Entain money into stakes and these three’s presence, enthusiasm and availability has put a spring in the steps of Kiwi racing stakeholders. It’s a refreshing start.
    Cameron Rodger told me by phone last week: “We’re keeping the name and brand and everything that’s built up on it, but we’re giving it a new colour scheme and logo to give customers frustrated with the old platform – maybe the ones that have not been with us for a while – just to let them know this is a fresh start.
    And it’s very good—a high-quality customer offering,” continued Rodger. We think the user experience will be top of the market, and the other key part of it is that it’s very stable. We know just how frequently you’ve had outages and downtime with the current platform, and that will be a thing of the past.
    New technology will provide a new experience
    So, I asked, what else can punters expect from the new app and platform?
    “What you have now is the exact product you’ve had all along; we’ve done nothing to improve it.
    We have put all our time and effort into the new product to get it up as quickly as possible. It will have more generosity, more flexibility, same-game, same-race multi-products—things that have become commonplace with offshore bookmakers and which, in NZ, the technology has lagged.
    “It will be a huge, ‘brought up to speed,’ moment that will include simple things such as navigating quickly between races. It will be one or two clicks for what currently might take four or five. And that makes a world of difference for someone trying to quickly get on pre-race or pre-match.
    “Betting on sports has been a big pain point for customers. It’s painfully slow, taking too long to accept, which has led people to think the bookmakers are being conservative, but it’s actually just the platform which was wired that way and can’t be changed.”
    Thanks, Mr Allen, Ms Hughes and company, for spending $50 million on a dud platform and committing the TAB to pay $17 million annually for the updates for ten years. But that commitment happened only five-and-a-half years ago, so has Entain negotiated its way out of the contract? I asked Cameron Rodger if we had settled the Openbet and Paddy Power baggage.
    Openbet and Paddy Power red-carded
    “Yes, we have completely moved off that platform, and there’s no residual Openbet or Paddy Power reliance. As part of the deal we struck, it was our cost to bear, which we factored into our equations. That was all sorted and squared away after we signed up.
    “It was a big cost, but we couldn’t stand still on that platform.”
    What a relief to hear that the potential to be weighed down by the ball and chain NZRB Allen/Hughes debt had been rectified and kicked for touch.
    But in my chat with Cameron Rodger, the ‘music to my ears’ part came when he said: “I think the big one I can give you that hopefully will be interesting and exciting for people to hear is that we are huge believers in freeware and broadening the television coverage to a wider audience.”
    Free-to-air televised racing?
    Free to air Trackside – wow, that would be a game-changer on its own.
    According to the constitution, marketing racing is supposedly the domain of NZTR but is rarely actuated. By default, it’s now the territory of Entain, whose presence has generated newsworthy coverage on mainstream TV and radio.
    At the Karaka Sales, Dean Shannon told me that Entain knew they had to make a ‘big splash’ to kick start racing here in NZ—it needed to be jolted into life to move forward. On the same question, Cameron Rodger recognised the need to revive the racing marketing and encourage new people to engage.
    We have had droll accountants making the decisions, closing down radio, newspaper content, and TAB retail outlets, reducing broadcasting costs, and annoying the customer base. How does any industry thrive on a downsizing mentality?
    Entain has shown it is diametrically opposed to that thinking. And since its arrival, it has injected $30 million more into NZ racing than its commitment to the contract.  
    Other positives have happened in NZ racing in the past year: the revival of Ellerslie; NZ Bloodstock embracing the arrival of Entain and joining in with sponsorship, and NZTR initiating ‘The Kiwi’ slot race, which, according to several sources, is a collaboration between all three parties.
    Entain dragging the industry up with it
    Simply put, Entain is dragging the rest of the industry along with its dynamism.
    Meanwhile, the TAB NZ board can only be sitting on its hands, doing practically nothing, and wondering if it should be embarrassed by continuing to draw directors’ fees. The board is now relatively powerless and has failed to produce a half-year and full-year report for the year ending July 31, 2023.
    Why haven’t they? The answer simply lies in an embarrassing rise in costs and a downturn in profits for the year in question. At the half-year mark last financial year, the TAB profit had fallen behind by $9.4 million on the previous year and heading for a record annual running cost in the vicinity of $130 million.
    My regular reviews of the TAB’s financial downturn caused the bosses to stop publishing the monthly figures. And now, no half-year or annual report. There is no transparency or accountability, which is the short history of NZ racing.
    The TAB board comprises Anna Stove (Chair), Wendie Harvey, Raewyn Lovett, and Bill Birnie. Kristy McDonald no longer appears on the website as a director, so she presumably has resigned.
    Dean Shannon told me I shouldn’t be concerned about the cost of running the TAB from now on because Entain now covers all its expenses, along with a guaranteed minimum payment of $150 million a year to run the codes and provide stakes. He also said Entain expected to lose money for two years but should be in the black by year three.
    30 percent of NZ online betting placed with Bet365
    He aims to claw back the 30 percent of all online betting in New Zealand that goes directly offshore to Bet365, a privately owned platform that gives nothing back for the use of NZ racing.
    Cameron Rodger said Entain would not be pushing the issue of geo-blocking but leaving it to the due process of government to decide. The codes will benefit by an additional $100 million from Entain if it’s passed into law.
    Things have improved since Entain’s arrival, but this partnership has a cautionary side regarding the long-term sustainability of racing. We are in the honeymoon phase but should remember that the deal has to work financially for both parties to survive beyond the annual $150 million guarantee, which ceases in 2028.
    The five years will come around quickly, after which the partnership will be conducted on a 50/50 gross profit basis. We need Entain to turn its massive NZ investment into an excellent annual long-term profit so we can run for prizemoney that will incentivise Kiwis to grow breeding and racing back to higher levels than we have now.
    So, what do we really know about Entain beyond the charismatic trio of Shannon, Fitt and Rodger?
    What we know about Entain
    We know it’s a highly geared $4 billion global betting empire that, in August 2020, changed its name from GVC Holdings to Entain and has since invested heavily in various betting jurisdictions worldwide, including our TAB NZ.
    We know that the company is registered in the tax-haven Isle of Man, where it runs worldwide gambling operations under the Ladbrokes, Neds, BetCity, Eurobet, Sportingbet, Crystalbet, Coral, PartyPoker, bwin and BetMGM brands. BetMGM is Entain’s joint venture with MGM Resorts.
    We know the company’s share price fell by 40 percent last year, which caused shareholder dissatisfaction and indifferent reviews.
    Since then, replacements have arrived for the CEO and several board members.
    We know that Entain expects the NZ betting market of approximately NZ$600 million to grow by 35 percent over the next five years.
    We know that in an Australian interview last week, Dean Shannon was asked if he thought a 17 to 20 percent betting downturn across the board was a sizeable shift. He answered, “Yes, it has been a sizeable shift, but it shouldn’t be that surprising. This is predominantly driven by macroeconomic factors such as higher interest rates and cost-of-living pressures.”
    We know, most importantly, that if it hadn’t done a deal with Entain, TAB NZ would now be either broke or less attractively partnered with one of two alternative offers – fact.
    What else is there to know beyond that last bit?
     
     

     
  2. Thanks
    Insider reacted to Baz (NZ) in Entain on the charge……?   
    All NZ based offshore Punters need to now get behind Entain and support them. Close Bet365 accounts and support NZ Racing !
  3. Like
    Insider got a reaction from Baz (NZ) in Weigh In   
    I actually think that Mick Guerin is one of the more knowledgeable people in the game.
    Him and Luke Radich are light years ahead of anyone else. 
    Who else in the Trackside lineup puts their money up in “real ownership” and in both codes too? 

     
  4. Like
    Insider got a reaction from chiknsmack in Weigh In   
    I actually think that Mick Guerin is one of the more knowledgeable people in the game.
    Him and Luke Radich are light years ahead of anyone else. 
    Who else in the Trackside lineup puts their money up in “real ownership” and in both codes too? 

     
  5. Like
    Insider got a reaction from Pak Star in Weigh In   
    I actually think that Mick Guerin is one of the more knowledgeable people in the game.
    Him and Luke Radich are light years ahead of anyone else. 
    Who else in the Trackside lineup puts their money up in “real ownership” and in both codes too? 

     
  6. Like
    Insider got a reaction from THE TORCH in Weigh In   
    I actually think that Mick Guerin is one of the more knowledgeable people in the game.
    Him and Luke Radich are light years ahead of anyone else. 
    Who else in the Trackside lineup puts their money up in “real ownership” and in both codes too? 

     
  7. Like
    Insider got a reaction from Black Kirrama in Weigh In   
    I actually think that Mick Guerin is one of the more knowledgeable people in the game.
    Him and Luke Radich are light years ahead of anyone else. 
    Who else in the Trackside lineup puts their money up in “real ownership” and in both codes too? 

     
  8. Like
    Insider got a reaction from Zak Hussai in Weigh In   
    I actually think that Mick Guerin is one of the more knowledgeable people in the game.
    Him and Luke Radich are light years ahead of anyone else. 
    Who else in the Trackside lineup puts their money up in “real ownership” and in both codes too? 

     
  9. Like
    Insider got a reaction from Matanuku Blue in Weigh In   
    I actually think that Mick Guerin is one of the more knowledgeable people in the game.
    Him and Luke Radich are light years ahead of anyone else. 
    Who else in the Trackside lineup puts their money up in “real ownership” and in both codes too? 

     
  10. Thanks
    Insider reacted to Matanuku Blue in Weigh In   
    Hey team I think you are being a bit tough on Guerin . .Weigh In is one of the few  NZ racing programs I look fwd to watching.I like Guerin because his knowledge of racing.He is a bit quirky and very enthusiastic. .Maybe Marsh was still feeling the effects of hard out celebrating and that’s why he was looking like he was.Give Guerin a fair go ,would you rather have popperwell or sweens 🙄
  11. Like
    Insider reacted to Pak Star in Weigh In   
    I watch The Weigh In pretty much every week its on.  Cant say I have ever in my life watched it live though.  Its always via youtube on a Monday or Tuesday night.   Just the way of the world now isnt it?  Hence why the 6pm news shows are going down the gurgler. 
    As for Guerin, I like that he has insider knowledge and speaks to a lot of the trainers to have the most up to date news on where horses are going etc.  Something that I would have expected from Leith Innes a bit more as a presenter
  12. Like
    Insider reacted to Mattski in Johnathan Parkes   
    Thanks for the info canon.   Top rider and bloke so I wish him well
  13. Like
    Insider reacted to canon47 in Johnathan Parkes   
    Zak Husssai He has moved to the Gold Coast for a refresh riding work just started his weight reduction program and well been riding over there soon. Quite funny really he was gunna buy a cheap run about car BUT quickly relised  he needs a bloody good 1 in terms of the travelling he well need to do "Skins" well be back soon
  14. Sad
    Insider reacted to rdytdy in Johnathan Parkes   
  15. Thanks
    Insider reacted to chevy86 in Auckland Cup result   
    Alf, for what it's worth I'll give you my appraisal of the day Saturday, the 9th, which also mirrors Derby Day.
    For many years I have been a strident critic of the previous ARC for its "lazy" efforts in maximising a fantastic facility right in the middle of Auckland. Been an attendee for over 50 years (misspent youth!) and as a member I sought an audience with Weaver/Castles some years ago to offer voluntary services to clean up bird shit and other rubbish in the Members Stand which had become the alternate "Spookers". My offer was declined due to the usual Health and Safety BS. Things are gradually improving in that Stand but there is a long way to go for regular Members.
    As for Cup day. I found the overall experience greatly improved and don't share your opinion on the crowd size. It took a little while to build up but by race 5  I meandered around where I had ready access , including the Public Stand where I beheld a large congregation of young people ( no obvious drunkedness, beautifully presented young ladies who were also at the tote betting, and minimal confronting security presence). Don't know official numbers but seemed more than adequate.
    Music on the day was more mellow than the usual "rap" beats which was appreciated and access to our horses in the new stabling area is perfect, without compromising safety.
    As for the racing--like many I'm disappointed with some of the field sizes which often translates to uncompetitive racing patterns and particularly leader bias, but that's up to the jockeys.
    I'm looking forward to more regular attendance which has waned over recent years. Might have to breed a few more.
  16. Thanks
    Insider reacted to Hi Ho Silver in Cameron George gone   
    It's a list of where he's worked.  It doesn't relate to how good he was at the job, and whether he was professional in every aspect.
  17. Thanks
    Insider reacted to nomates in Cameron George gone   
    To be honest putting up a list of the positions he has held doesn't equate with meaning he was successful in those roles .
    Someone could list the positions that John Allen has held in his career , but it  means nothing . 
    Listing people's CV's just proves that the Lazy Susan of executive rolls is too bloody easy to jump off and on , and NZ clearly has a limited pool of capable people to choose from . 
    It's just a bunch of suits playing musical chairs .
  18. Like
    Insider reacted to chevy86 in Cameron George gone   
    IN THE BEST JOOLY TRADITION THIS POST NEEDS THE HIGHEST COMMENDATION .
  19. Like
    Insider reacted to TurnyTom in Many many more at the Canberra Cup than the Auckland Cup   
    No comparison I would have thought
    Despite the many issues CJC have they put on a good week, cannot be replicated
  20. Like
    Insider reacted to Memphis3 in Many many more at the Canberra Cup than the Auckland Cup   
    8470. My mate counted them 
  21. Like
    Insider reacted to Leggy in Trentham track update   
    Agree. Looked a mile better.
  22. Like
    Insider reacted to Leggy in More starting gate problems   
    I don't know. Maybe they do routine maintenance on them over there?
  23. Like
    Insider reacted to Leggy in Awapuni update.   
    It's interesting that they say in that article that Awapuni are trying to replicate the Foxton natural surface.
  24. Like
    Insider reacted to Nerula in Awapuni update.   
    The track had issues that are being addressed so that is a positive. New Manager new broom! Dont knock it!!!!!
  25. Like
    Insider got a reaction from nomates in Trentham track update   
    The Trentham track seemed to be well presented yesterday. It seemed to play fair and square. 
    Not a single comment was made about it in the Stipes Report other than part way through the day it was upgraded from a Good 4 to a good 3.